It’s too early to foresee final results of opening channels of dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Syria, Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported.
In an editorial on Wednesday, the daily’s editor-in-chief Ibrahim Al-Amin said that the “Old Saudi no longer exists”.
He quoted well-informed sources as saying that Saudi should be dealt with “in a way the differs from that Saudi which got out of Lebanon and Syria following flaring up crises.”
The “old Saudi Arabia no longer exists, with all its internal and external effects that concern Lebanon and the region, and definitely those related to financial aids.”
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In this context, Al-Amin wrote that it is difficult to read the Lebanese positions regarding the Riyadh-Damascus ties in light of the complete contradictions between the Lebanese powers.
Saudi allies see what’s happening as a Syrian and Iranian surrender to Riyadh, while Iran allies see the thaw in relations as a concession made by Riyadh, according to the Lebanese journalist.
“What is happening is so great that one should carefully read it, before reaching early and quick conclusions over its success or failure,” Al-Amin said, quoting the sources who are informed on the Saudi interior affairs.
The journalist also saw the Iranian-Saudi deal as a result of a course that witnessed several contacts between the two regional powers throughout years. He added that the current Saudi leadership has been attempting to draw up a clear foreign policy based on policy of zero problems.
“As the two sides realize the nature of the deal as well as its impact, Saudi -for example- got the message of reviving the Palestinian cause through the latest events in Palestine and Lebanon. However, what it means today for Saudi, first and foremost, is what can be applied in Yemen. As for Iraq, after Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani was served as the prime minister, it seemed as if he was walking in the middle of the road between the two countries.”
‘Cautious Interpretation’
Meanwhile, Al-Amin urged cautious interpretation of the Saudi policy towards Syria and its repercussions on Lebanon “due to the overlapping of international and regional factors.
The rush to draw a Saudi map in Syria is something, according to the sources, that should be dealt with cautiously. Syria’s return to the Arab League can’t be seen as the end of a stage of isolation, especially since what Damascus is facing internally and internationally is greater than the decision to return to the League, Al-Amin said, citing the international policy towards Syria and the US sanctions.
On the other hand, Al-Amin stressed that the latest contacts between Saudi and Syria don’t mean a preface for some changes in Lebanon that serve the interest of Syria and Iran.
“Saudi Arabia confirms once again that it deals with Lebanon away from any other arena, within a ceiling that constitutes, for it, the basic rule: the New York statement issued last September.”
Source: Al-Akhbar Newspaper (Translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website Staff)
